[Coolers - Transport or Storage?]

Sorry to be responding so late to this thread. After over a year of investigating and validating, we found a cooler that will hold the temperature of red cells, up to 10 per cooler between 1-6 C for 24 hours. We actually have data for up to 72 hours but implemented 24 hours. Part of the solution is the use of "wet ice", flaked ice from an ice machine. The frozen "blue ice" containers we formerly used in the rubbermaid coolers just doesn't have the same heat exchange properties as does melting ice at 0 C.

The coolers are a cube about 14 inches per side. They are called Smart shippers and run for over $300 each. We also needed to purchase an ice flaker for the OR satellite blood bank dispense station. But with the wastage of red cells in the OR that we were experiencing, these coolers will pay for themselves in less than a year. The use of blood in coolers for the OR is mainly for major heart cases as well as liver transplants. If anyone is interested in more information on the coolers, I can refer to the manufacturer, I can send pictures of how we use them, etc. In fact I have a whole power point that I used to inservice the OR staff.

Hi Ann,

I am a new member and was task to validate our cell safe coolers. I would appreciate if you can send me a copy of your powerpoint presentation.palabok2@u.washington.edu